It has been at least 3 weeks my left knee has been bothering me. I hate to think talk or write about it. I hate injuries because I am a bit of a control freak, and I don't have a lot of control over injuries. I have tried pretending it wasn't an issue. Tried resting a bit. (This is my EASY week) I tried new shoes, Ibuprofen, double doses of glucosomine, but the sad simple fact is that something is wrong with my knee. I am not a Dr., but I did tear my meniscus in my right knee before (one of me few serious injuries ever) and this feels much like the months leading up to that injury.
Back then, my knee bothered me for months. I was in the Army so I pretty much had to keep running… and my unit ran a LOT. (3-5 most days and longer on Fridays) I knew something was wrong with my knee, but they deal with a lot of people faking injuries to get out of all the running so the few times I tried to see someone about it I never got passed the PA and was just told to take some Ibuprofen. One day we decided to head off and run through the woods and running up or down a hill I felt a bit of a catch. I kept going of course… that is just me, but when I stopped, my knee didn’t want to move anymore. I had it scoped and now it is as good as new.
I fear my left knee is on the same path now, and I am having a hard time accepting that. It doesn’t really bother me much when I am running… but it sure does afterwards. 450 miles and now this… [insert expletive of choice here]
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Running can be expensive
In general, running is a sport that can be enjoyed without a lot of equipment. Just slap on a pair of running shoes, and off you go. I think that is one of the great things about running. I remember playing tennis against the preppies with $200 racquets in high school, and my K-Mart special racquet put me at a distinct advantage. While it certainly is inexpensive to start running, like all sports, the costs can run (pardon the pun) up. I started out slow, ran with the shoes I already had, but after 6 months I spent:
Running shoes: $265
Clothing: $200
Entry fees: $80
Gatorade: $75
GPS watch: $95
Granted this includes yesterday’s purchase of two identical pairs of running shoes. I read somewhere to buy two… break them both in… then put one away for the marathon. I seriously hope I didn’t just buy two pairs of crappy shoes. =) I should have done some more research, but I have always figured my first marathon would be a learning experience, and I don’t expect to do everything right the first time. After the Eugene marathon is where I have to get really serious. I still think I might need a few caps to keep my head warm… and perhaps some gloves for the really nasty cold days. I was scraping ice off my car this morning… those days are almost here.
I skipped a 7 mile run scheduled last Thursday because of pain in my knee. This week is a recovery week, and I thought the time off would be more beneficial than being a slave to the schedule. The knee has been bugging me for awhile now, and I fear I could be nearing a repetitive motion injury. Two runs thereafter were better… but still painful.
I also thought my shoes might be getting a little worn down. I put 425 miles on the last pair, and while they still look like they are in good shape, I have read that between 400 and 500 is the most you can expect from them. By the way… that 425 miles means I am nearing the ½ way in my marathon training miles. In fact, there is also another big milestone coming up at the end of this week. On Sunday I will transition off the mileage build up schedule, and procede to… ta… da… MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE. I feel like I am graduating, except I don’t have to walk across a stage dressed like batman with a square cap.
The number of miles I run in a week will not significantly increase, but the length of the long runs do. Miles average about 37 per week with long runs of 10,12,6,14,16,18,6,20,14,7,21,14,8,22 and then taper. At minimum I will have 3 20+ mile runs in before my first marathon. (Maybe 4 because the will be repeating the last month once) How I survive doing all that through the cold and windy winter… well that is the million dollar question now isn’t it? Just as most runners are finishing their fall marathons, I am started to gear up for my Spring one. Lord help me.
Happy Halloween!
The family Pumpkins!
Running shoes: $265
Clothing: $200
Entry fees: $80
Gatorade: $75
GPS watch: $95
Granted this includes yesterday’s purchase of two identical pairs of running shoes. I read somewhere to buy two… break them both in… then put one away for the marathon. I seriously hope I didn’t just buy two pairs of crappy shoes. =) I should have done some more research, but I have always figured my first marathon would be a learning experience, and I don’t expect to do everything right the first time. After the Eugene marathon is where I have to get really serious. I still think I might need a few caps to keep my head warm… and perhaps some gloves for the really nasty cold days. I was scraping ice off my car this morning… those days are almost here.
I skipped a 7 mile run scheduled last Thursday because of pain in my knee. This week is a recovery week, and I thought the time off would be more beneficial than being a slave to the schedule. The knee has been bugging me for awhile now, and I fear I could be nearing a repetitive motion injury. Two runs thereafter were better… but still painful.
I also thought my shoes might be getting a little worn down. I put 425 miles on the last pair, and while they still look like they are in good shape, I have read that between 400 and 500 is the most you can expect from them. By the way… that 425 miles means I am nearing the ½ way in my marathon training miles. In fact, there is also another big milestone coming up at the end of this week. On Sunday I will transition off the mileage build up schedule, and procede to… ta… da… MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE. I feel like I am graduating, except I don’t have to walk across a stage dressed like batman with a square cap.
The number of miles I run in a week will not significantly increase, but the length of the long runs do. Miles average about 37 per week with long runs of 10,12,6,14,16,18,6,20,14,7,21,14,8,22 and then taper. At minimum I will have 3 20+ mile runs in before my first marathon. (Maybe 4 because the will be repeating the last month once) How I survive doing all that through the cold and windy winter… well that is the million dollar question now isn’t it? Just as most runners are finishing their fall marathons, I am started to gear up for my Spring one. Lord help me.
Happy Halloween!
The family Pumpkins!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Dream big
Awhile back, my wife made a comment about when I set goals, I sure do set big ones. I like to have carrots dangling out there for me, and trying to run a marathon is certainly one big (strange) carrot. It is strange in that when I finally catch it, I am not really sure what I will have. I will have invested about 160 hours of training by the time I run the Eugene marathon. One hundred and sixty sometimes grueling... sometimes exhausting hours. At the moment I cross the finished line and
that carrot is in my grasp and I get to feel and check it out to see what I really have... what will it be?
I blame this quest on my childhood role models; Charlie Brown, Gilligan, and maybe Fred Flintstone and even Coyote. Think about it... each of them in them in their own way... was never allowed to cross their finish line. Charlie Brown always tried to kick the football... each time he actually thinks he is going to get to kick it... but each time it is yanked away. And then there is the well-intentioned Gilligan, always trapped on that damn Island... every episode ruining their rescue or chance for escaping. I watched it week after week thinking that maybe...just MAYBE they will get off the dang thing, but really knowing it was an exercise in futility. And of course, the not so well-intentioned Fred Flintstone. He was a bit of an unsavory character, but always scheming for a way to get ahead and yet somehow Barney or fate would ALWAYS ruin his plan, and by then end of the episode, he'd
end up back where he started.
So is it any wonder that I have a desire to grab that carrot? That is a
lot of childhood frustration right there... perhaps I am the champion
for all of the losing icons of my childhood. =)
Today was a mid-week 8 miler. I am not sure what my pace was... but I was taking it easy since I a still sore from the race this past weekend. Probably around 8:35 though.
that carrot is in my grasp and I get to feel and check it out to see what I really have... what will it be?
I blame this quest on my childhood role models; Charlie Brown, Gilligan, and maybe Fred Flintstone and even Coyote. Think about it... each of them in them in their own way... was never allowed to cross their finish line. Charlie Brown always tried to kick the football... each time he actually thinks he is going to get to kick it... but each time it is yanked away. And then there is the well-intentioned Gilligan, always trapped on that damn Island... every episode ruining their rescue or chance for escaping. I watched it week after week thinking that maybe...just MAYBE they will get off the dang thing, but really knowing it was an exercise in futility. And of course, the not so well-intentioned Fred Flintstone. He was a bit of an unsavory character, but always scheming for a way to get ahead and yet somehow Barney or fate would ALWAYS ruin his plan, and by then end of the episode, he'd
end up back where he started.
So is it any wonder that I have a desire to grab that carrot? That is a
lot of childhood frustration right there... perhaps I am the champion
for all of the losing icons of my childhood. =)
Today was a mid-week 8 miler. I am not sure what my pace was... but I was taking it easy since I a still sore from the race this past weekend. Probably around 8:35 though.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Running in the rain
Just getting ready to head out for a run. There is no avoiding running in the rain in Oregon if you want to run year around. When I headed home from work today there were dark clouds threatening everywhere… but every now and then I would drive through patches where the sun snuck through and it was a beautiful fall day. Clouds are beautiful in their own right… a few whispers of clouds on a perfectly sunny day makes it even more special. The reverse can be true to… a patch of blue on an otherwise cloudy day can be pretty awesome. As I got closer to home, the blue patches and dark cloudy doom alternated. When I walked in the door rain was pelting the windows. Now, the sun is back. Before I return from my 6 mile run, I am sure the whether will continue its schizophrenia and the rain will return.
I resemble the weather. Saturday I was running strong. Two days later I am an old man. I have heard the expression ‘leave it all on the course’ but I think I took that step a bit too far and literally left my left knee, right shin and both ankles out there somehow. I am sure by the end of the week I will recover, riding the endless rollercoaster of peaks and valleys that is training. To more experienced runners, I am sure the ride is all too familiar.
Right now the Boston dream feels like the tip of a mountain too far for me to climb. I should just stay focused on my first step… the Eugene Marathon in April. When or if I crest that hill… maybe Boston won’t look as far away.
EDIT: The sun stayed out and it was a wonderful run... I cruised in at 8:10 miles, much faster than I planned.
I resemble the weather. Saturday I was running strong. Two days later I am an old man. I have heard the expression ‘leave it all on the course’ but I think I took that step a bit too far and literally left my left knee, right shin and both ankles out there somehow. I am sure by the end of the week I will recover, riding the endless rollercoaster of peaks and valleys that is training. To more experienced runners, I am sure the ride is all too familiar.
Right now the Boston dream feels like the tip of a mountain too far for me to climb. I should just stay focused on my first step… the Eugene Marathon in April. When or if I crest that hill… maybe Boston won’t look as far away.
EDIT: The sun stayed out and it was a wonderful run... I cruised in at 8:10 miles, much faster than I planned.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Blue Lake 15K
My very first 15K race. I didn’t prepare particularly well this week, even drank a few beers LAST NIGHT, but I was determined to do the best I could. I was an absolutely wonderful day today… sunny… but a bit cool which is fine for running. Blue Lake is near Troutdale, Oregon, and unfortunately, at the West end of the Columbia River Gorge. What that means is… there is always a strong wind blowing down the gorge, and the first half of the run was right into it. It ate some people up. (Including me) It must have been at least 25 MPH steady, and more with gusts.
I wanted to run at a 7:45 pace. I think my body was ready for that. I did 10 miles at 8:14 or so last week. But that darn wind! Someone got the bright idea to draft on me, but alas, there was no one in front of me to draft on. About ½ through the race I figured I had no change to make 7:45. I saw one lap at 8:14 and I knew others were around 8. In order to catch up I’d figured I’d have to run 7:30s for the second half.
When we finally hit the turn around and headed with the wind, I was looking forward to taking off big time, but someone was chatting with me about running… marathons and the like. (Someone who has actually finished a marathon before) =) I was polite and talked even though I knew it was hurting my pace. When we hit another ¼ mile section into the wind I said heck with this and drafted on him. We had a little train of about 5 people and I was at the end being towed along. When we turned with the wind again, I just took OFF. Ka-Pow! If I wasn’t going to hit 7:45, at least it wouldn’t be for lack of effort. Running with the wind was wonderful. I was flying through miles 7 and 8.
When I looked down at my watch around 8 miles, I saw that it was theoretically possible for me to get back to a total 7:45 pace, but I would have to put on the afterburners like never before (for me). I did… and the result… a 7:02 pace for the 9th mile. When my watch hit 9.3 miles I was at exactly 7:45. For some strange reason the finish line was still a few hundred yards away, but darn it… I will take it.
All in all I am happy. I met my goal despite some horrendous wind and I hung in there when it didn’t look like it was going so well. Once again I realize how seemingly impossible it will be to qualify for Boston. Stranger things have happened though… and just like my race today… how knows… maybe… just maybe… I can make it. Portland Marathon 2007 will be my attempt.
I wanted to run at a 7:45 pace. I think my body was ready for that. I did 10 miles at 8:14 or so last week. But that darn wind! Someone got the bright idea to draft on me, but alas, there was no one in front of me to draft on. About ½ through the race I figured I had no change to make 7:45. I saw one lap at 8:14 and I knew others were around 8. In order to catch up I’d figured I’d have to run 7:30s for the second half.
When we finally hit the turn around and headed with the wind, I was looking forward to taking off big time, but someone was chatting with me about running… marathons and the like. (Someone who has actually finished a marathon before) =) I was polite and talked even though I knew it was hurting my pace. When we hit another ¼ mile section into the wind I said heck with this and drafted on him. We had a little train of about 5 people and I was at the end being towed along. When we turned with the wind again, I just took OFF. Ka-Pow! If I wasn’t going to hit 7:45, at least it wouldn’t be for lack of effort. Running with the wind was wonderful. I was flying through miles 7 and 8.
When I looked down at my watch around 8 miles, I saw that it was theoretically possible for me to get back to a total 7:45 pace, but I would have to put on the afterburners like never before (for me). I did… and the result… a 7:02 pace for the 9th mile. When my watch hit 9.3 miles I was at exactly 7:45. For some strange reason the finish line was still a few hundred yards away, but darn it… I will take it.
All in all I am happy. I met my goal despite some horrendous wind and I hung in there when it didn’t look like it was going so well. Once again I realize how seemingly impossible it will be to qualify for Boston. Stranger things have happened though… and just like my race today… how knows… maybe… just maybe… I can make it. Portland Marathon 2007 will be my attempt.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Bonk Part II (or… the Meltdown)
For the second time this week I let poor nutrition help lead me into a major bonking episode. I am certainly aware the in order to keep the running engine moving, I have to eat, and eat right, but sometimes I get too busy and neglect to take care of myself properly. That, combined with 30 miles in 4 days, was a recipe for a serious bonk.
My typical day starts at 4:40 AM. I head out the door to work by 5:15. (Hey, I was in the Army, I can move fast when I need to) By 6 AM I am working. Sometime between 6 and 7:30 I grab a bagel or something for breakfast at the cafeteria or eat one I brought from home. I eat lunch at 11:15. If all goes well by 2:30 I am back on the road for home. If traffic cooperates I am home by 3:15 – 3:30. By 4 I am heading out for my run. When I get home I shower and head off to pick up the boys. Around 5:45 I cook dinner. (Wife gets home at around 6:15 and we’d be eating at 7 if she cooked… which doesn’t work well) This week I am working OT so by 7 I am on my computer and working from home. Between 9 or 10 I call it quits, fall asleep within 3 minutes of my head hitting the pillow. Lather rinse repeat.
Yesterday the forces of evil were plotting against me. I ate less then usual for breakfast. (Strike one) I had a service award for lunch, but they were serving pork roast (ARGH!) which I passed on so I just had some potatoes veggies and rice. (Strike two) Then I decided I would go to the gym today to run. GASP shock. I am trying to decide whether to cancel my membership since I haven’t been there in months, but I figure on very poor weather days it might be a nice substitute for running outside. I hate the treadmill but they have 1/12 of a mile indoor track, so I thought I would give it a try. My GPS watch wouldn’t work in door so I didn’t know how fast I was running and it was difficult to gauge since I was indoors. Needless to say… it was too fast for having covered 8 miles the day before. (Foul ball!)
The usual dinner time had to be bumped because of parent teacher conference. (Foul ball!) Then as the family was finally heading to eat… we have to stop for gas… (foul ball!) and my wife decides since we are at Costco… she would run in and pick up her glasses that were ready.
(Here comes the pitch!) Finished getting gas… park by the Costco door… and wait… and wait… and wait… (It’s a curveball!) and wait… my blood sugar-o-meter has been on 0 since the parent teacher conference but I start losing it. (He swings with all his might! And WHOOOSH!!!! STRIKE THREE, he is OUTTA here)
When my 8 year old asks where mom is for the 5th time I mumble something about her being a sloth. Not nice I know… and I shouldn’t have said it (but at this point I already struck out and was dejectedly heading back to the dugout). Of course my son taking after his dad… opens the door as my wife approaches and calls her a sloth. (Uh oh… this one is getting ugly… a brawl is breaking out! Both dugouts have cleared and they are going at it)
Instead of heading to eat… I drove home and when straight to bed. I couldn’t sleep though… just stayed there half comatose until the boys where in bed and it was time to make up.
Lesson learned? Eating is important to running. You can’t run well if you don’t eat right. If you try to keep running without eating right… get ready for a bench clearing brawl.
My typical day starts at 4:40 AM. I head out the door to work by 5:15. (Hey, I was in the Army, I can move fast when I need to) By 6 AM I am working. Sometime between 6 and 7:30 I grab a bagel or something for breakfast at the cafeteria or eat one I brought from home. I eat lunch at 11:15. If all goes well by 2:30 I am back on the road for home. If traffic cooperates I am home by 3:15 – 3:30. By 4 I am heading out for my run. When I get home I shower and head off to pick up the boys. Around 5:45 I cook dinner. (Wife gets home at around 6:15 and we’d be eating at 7 if she cooked… which doesn’t work well) This week I am working OT so by 7 I am on my computer and working from home. Between 9 or 10 I call it quits, fall asleep within 3 minutes of my head hitting the pillow. Lather rinse repeat.
Yesterday the forces of evil were plotting against me. I ate less then usual for breakfast. (Strike one) I had a service award for lunch, but they were serving pork roast (ARGH!) which I passed on so I just had some potatoes veggies and rice. (Strike two) Then I decided I would go to the gym today to run. GASP shock. I am trying to decide whether to cancel my membership since I haven’t been there in months, but I figure on very poor weather days it might be a nice substitute for running outside. I hate the treadmill but they have 1/12 of a mile indoor track, so I thought I would give it a try. My GPS watch wouldn’t work in door so I didn’t know how fast I was running and it was difficult to gauge since I was indoors. Needless to say… it was too fast for having covered 8 miles the day before. (Foul ball!)
The usual dinner time had to be bumped because of parent teacher conference. (Foul ball!) Then as the family was finally heading to eat… we have to stop for gas… (foul ball!) and my wife decides since we are at Costco… she would run in and pick up her glasses that were ready.
(Here comes the pitch!) Finished getting gas… park by the Costco door… and wait… and wait… and wait… (It’s a curveball!) and wait… my blood sugar-o-meter has been on 0 since the parent teacher conference but I start losing it. (He swings with all his might! And WHOOOSH!!!! STRIKE THREE, he is OUTTA here)
When my 8 year old asks where mom is for the 5th time I mumble something about her being a sloth. Not nice I know… and I shouldn’t have said it (but at this point I already struck out and was dejectedly heading back to the dugout). Of course my son taking after his dad… opens the door as my wife approaches and calls her a sloth. (Uh oh… this one is getting ugly… a brawl is breaking out! Both dugouts have cleared and they are going at it)
Instead of heading to eat… I drove home and when straight to bed. I couldn’t sleep though… just stayed there half comatose until the boys where in bed and it was time to make up.
Lesson learned? Eating is important to running. You can’t run well if you don’t eat right. If you try to keep running without eating right… get ready for a bench clearing brawl.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
My new T-Shirt Idea
Today was an absolutely beautiful day for running. You can’t get any better. Cool, no wind, and fall leaves everywhere. At about halfway of my 6 mile run today, I ran around a few small lakes. The trees by the shore with their vibrant and colorful leaves were reflecting on the smooth water. As if the trees themselves were not enough! It was very cool, and just another of the many moments I would have never witnessed if I was at home sitting on my butt.
I think I have changed my mind on my Boston Marathon T-Shirt. The personal attacks, while nice to blow off some steam, are not realistic for my personality. This however might be.
8:15 miles today. It is going to be a rough week. Eight miles tomorrow for my longest mid-week run yet, and all while working 10 hours at day (plus 2 hours driving)
I think I have changed my mind on my Boston Marathon T-Shirt. The personal attacks, while nice to blow off some steam, are not realistic for my personality. This however might be.
8:15 miles today. It is going to be a rough week. Eight miles tomorrow for my longest mid-week run yet, and all while working 10 hours at day (plus 2 hours driving)
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